Improvement in pipe tongs or wrenches



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

ELIM R. GIRVIN, OF STRASBURG TOWNSHIP, LANCASTER GOUN TY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFl HIS RIGHT TO PHILIP RITZ, OF BART, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PIPE TONGS OR WRENCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 189,621, dated April 17, 1877; application filed February 7, 1877.

To all whom it ma/y concern:

Be it known that I, ELIM R. GIRVIN, of Strasburg township, Lancaster county, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Pipe Tongs or Wrenches, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of my improvement consists in the specilic construction and arrangement of the parts.

The accompanying drawing-clearly shows the three distinct elements in its construction, with the letters of reference marked thereon, so that a brief explanation will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same.

Figure l is a perspective view to show the slotted head and shifting-jaw in place; Fig. 2, the same with the pivot-pin removed.

The head A, with its terminal, slightlyoblique end a to form the fixed jaw, is slotted on the sides for the reception of the prolonged endb of the movable jaw B. This head is prolonged into a handle, and provided with two or more perforations for the pivot pin or thumb-bolt c. This pin or bolt has a slot or perforation near its end for a pin or stout leather holder, d, to keep the pivot in place. The movable single hook-jaw B is, provided with three or more perforations for shifting the jaw in its prolonged straight limb b, made to enter the slot in the head A.

By means ofthe various perforations through the head A, and the extension of the hook B,

`a number of adjustments can be made to oblique terminal jaw may also be reversed in reference to the hook jaw. The jaws are shown smooth as the bite is sufficiently strong but, if desirable, they may be serrated, as in other cases.

I am aware that hooks or jaws, having various perforations for adjusting them, are shown and used; but among the diversity of pipe tongs and wrenches-for instance, such as shown in Patent No. 111,-122, January 31, 1,871, or No. 27,622, March 27, 1860I make no claim to a pipe wrench or tongs in which the slotted head of the lever is terminated by grooves on each side, and provided with a bar bent into a semicircle, which is provided with holes for adjustment in the slot of the head, when said semicircular bar has each end formed into a claw or jaw. Nor do I make any claim to an adjustable single claw or jaw in itself.

My improvement consists in the tool, as a whole, shown and described, as a new article of manufacture; therefore,

What I claim is- The combination of the lever, with its oblique, terminal, fixed jaw a, and slotted head A, for the reception of a shouldered straight extension, b, on the end of a reversible single hook or jaw, B, which end, like the head A, is provided with two or more holes for adjustment by means of a detachable headed pivot-bolt, o, the whole arranged and constructed as and for the purpose set forth.

E. R. GIRVIN. Witnesses:

H. G. BooK, GEORGE SEIEENER. 

